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Well… it’s almost time for Winter Fashion Forecasts and Holiday Dressing… I’m a bit behind. But, the good news about Fall Fashions, is you truly can wear them almost till May! And I do. When perusing the different fall trends, it was hard to find a good “solid list”…one which could work for everyone. And I realized why. Some of these are Ridiculous! And I do not want to take a dig at our good friends in Paris, however the Paris Fall Fashion Trends are not quite something I’d envision wearing, nor anyone I know. So, with Fabulous Fall Fashion Forecasts, I take them, as I do everything else in Fashion…I just make it my own.

I use these as a Guide. Not as the hard and fast Rules. I tend to find pictures I like and try to emulate those in my own style. So I am including some of the ridiculous Fabulous Fall Fashion Trends, because they’re funny, and I’m funny, and you may find one or two things that you like in each one. As usual, ETCETERA, helps hit it out of the park, and their own blogger, Margaret Calvin, does a great job presenting and putting her own spin on the trends.

I’m including outfits I like and ones that I will be wearing, or at least envisioning that I’ll be wearing, lest I ever leave my house again. 😉 Plus, shoe and handbag forecasts, which you can always have fun with. And the top it off, the Pantone colors for fall!

Fall 2015 Fashion Trends

Thank you Fashion Inspo!

Pleated Skirt

Pleated skirt is a classic. It can be worn anywhere and goes well with crop top and turtleneck alike. You can even pair your summer pleated skirt with a chunky sweater. Just be sure to choose thicker tights. Short, midi, or maxi – all of the lengths are possible. Short skirts maybe the hit trend of the season but the designers didn’t ignore midi and maxi either.

Maxi Dress

Speaking of maxi length, a maxi dress is another great Fall 2015 trend that is both practical and elegant. You can pair it with any jacket and voila, you’re ready for both day and night. Shed the jacket and a scarf and your outfit is restaurant-worthy. Maxi dress is always a great outfit for a restaurant.

Wide Belt

The waist trend is on the rise or should I say makes a big comeback. This fall waist is the focus. Well, unless you want to wear a chunky sweater. Wide belts are used on everything from coats to dresses and are a great way to define waist cinching away a few centimeters. Big buckles and intricate bows are definitely necessary.

Fur Collar

Fur cuffs were all over runways but the best way to wear fur is at the collar. Whether you are going out or getting married, a winter coat with a fur collar can give you the elegant and chic look. No yeti fur jacket can compete with a midi coat with a lush fur collar.

Chunky Sweater

Chunky sweater is probably my favorite fall trend. It is so practical and yet stylish when worn right. You can wear it with a pleated skirt (even a summer skirt), leggings, skinny jeans, pencil skirt, and even loose flare pants. It’s versatile and just overall cozy.

Duster Coat

Duster coat is definitely a must-have. It’s just simply stylish. Pair it with anything, it will work. Heels? Great contrast. Sneakers? Fashionable. Skinnies, trousers, dresses, anything will look great with a duster coat.

A muted violet trench coat is a nice twist for the basic wardrobe

As for the colors. This year is big on burnt orange, marsala, grey, and military green. The last three are my favorite and are very easy to mix and match with neutrals and brights alike.

Shades of Grey

Grey, grey, grey everywhere. It’s neutral, not easily stained, and super versatile. This year try layering up greys. You don’t even need to break them up as they’ll still work great.

Muted Violet

Military Green

Military green is popular as ever. Combining basic wardrobe pieces with cargo elements will never go out of style.

THE FORECAST FOR FALL 2015 IS FABULOUS

Fall Fashion Forecast by Etcetera blogger, Margaret Calvin

Even before feeling the first nip in the air or seeing the first leaf fall from a tree, fashionistas everywhere are yearning to know what the newest looks will be for the Fall season. Yes, ladies, you know who you are. Maybe you are still loving your summer fashions but you’re wondering, “what’s next?” or “what do I need to make room for in my closet?” Don’t worry, I’m here to help and to guide you through the newest trends to get you ready for the upcoming season. Get ready to “fall” in love!

ICE ICE BABY!

Icy pastels, in shades of sky blue and parfait pink, are all the rage for Fall and are a welcome change from the intense, hot colors of summer. Selections in these shades abound for work, play and everywhere in between.

FEMININE FLORALS

Floral prints are popping up everywhere this fall and winter. Bright and bold, or soft and delicate, there is a floral print for everyone!

BOLD MINIMALISM

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Fall showcases looks that are understated and restrained but bold in effect.

LUXURIOUS DETAILS

Fall fashions include luxurious leather and fur, both as accents, and as the main events.

I hope this taste of Fall whets your appetite for the fabulous season to come. It will be here before you know it, and it will be time to wear the cool weather fashions we are dreaming about today. Stay cool and make some room in your closet!

Truth be told, I don’t see myself wearing ANY of these shoes or boots. And I mean, Any of them!

I feel a little better about these handbags, but not much.

Crazy.

Double Crazy!

My Favorite Fall Looks

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Okay, I may have gotten a little carried away with my favorite fall looks, but I’m looking for some serious inspiration and plan on referring back to this blog, often!

Song of the Day: Rocket Man by Elton John

I miss the Earth so much, I miss my wife
It’s lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight

And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time
‘Til touchdown brings me ’round again to find
I’m not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no no no
I’m a rocket man
Rocket man
Burnin’ out his fuse up here alone

And pretty soon I will be back to weekly blogging and looking forward to addressing pressing topics such as Holiday Dressing, The Kardashians and why aren’t their three minutes up?, Holiday Gift Ideas, more of my Favorite Things and the upcoming one-year anniversary of Maxie! Thank you to those who reached out to me letting me know I was missed. ❤ ❤ ❤

And at the end of the day…

A few parting thoughts. The new movie Vacation, the sequel to the National Lampoon Vacation series was Painful to watch. Painful! 17″ of snow in Snovember. Wow! Beautiful, but wow! And lastly, My Bears. My oh my, my Bears. We are 4-6. Could be 8-2, but at least 4 of those games could have gone either way and sadly they went the other way. The Bears play Thanksgiving night, vs. The Packers. Here’s hoping it won’t be an UnBearable Thanksgiving. Go Bears!!

I work, therefore I am. Ha, kidding. But, I do work, but it doesn’t define who I am. This blog defines who I am. Ha…kidding again, but it does make me laugh. As do my jokes. Not sure what defines me, but in terms of “work” I am lucky to love what I do and love the people I do it with. And I do love the fact that I can get dressed up for work. Not while working out of the house obviously, but when meeting with clients, hotels, colleagues or going to meetings. This article, from Levo, hits the nail on the head regarding 8 items you must have in your wardrobe. And, since I am nothing if not consistent and love lots and lots of pictures in my blog, I found lots of pictures to use as examples. While this article was Fantastic…it didn’t have nearly enough pictures, so I have righted that wrong!

8 Items you Must have in Your Work Wardrobe

According to The Wall Street Journal, the old-fashioned power suit look for professional women is actually dead. Women can now wear soft colors (even pink!), beading, prints, patterns and have feminine tailoring (peplum is all the rage right now)—all of which were once considered taboo in the workplace for women (let’s say a suit is a given for anyone whose dress code is business professional). We also worked hard to find items that come in a variety of prices.

1. The black blazer

Navy works too. A blazer can take an outfit from a 1 to a 100. It just automatically adds a layer of professionalism whether it be with white pants, jeans, or even shorts. Every woman, no matter where she works, needs one of these (Jennifer Aniston regularly sports one).

2. The pencil skirt

Though we here at Levo tend to focus beyond the pencil skirt, we do recognize that it is an essential item and has been for a very long time. Fashion blogger Sarah Scoop wrote,“Every career-woman must have a pencil skirt in their wardrobe. This classic statement piece is versatile and can transform almost any outfit into business attire. The first color every woman should purchase is black. As you all know, black is virtually the easiest color to wear. It matches with almost anything and gives your silhouette a sleek look. By wearing black on bottom, you open up many opportunities on top.”

3. Black heels

Or as my colleague and office fashionista Kathryn Worsham says, “a great pair of pumps.” I am not going to lie. I think my legs look a lot better in a pair of heels and it does give me a different type of confidence than when I wear flats. I feel like I can stomp down a runway or dance like Beyonce in my heels. There is an immeasurable sense of power that high heels emote.

But in addition to looking great, heels can literally help your career. Career coach Marty Nemko wrote about shoe obsession disorder being a major benefit. He said women buy conversation-starting shoes which can be a great ice breaker for networking, as long as they aren’t too weird. If they cost a lot you can talk about that, and if they didn’t cost a lot you can talk about that. New research suggests that people can correctly judge 90 percent of a stranger’s personality just by looking at their shoes. “Shoes convey a thin but useful slice of information about their wearers,” according to a research paper titled “Shoes as a Source of First Impressions.” “Shoes serve a practical purpose, and also serve as nonverbal cues with symbolic messages. People tend to pay attention to the shoes they and others wear.”

4. A statement necklace

Now, a statement necklace can work in a variety of ways. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a big, blingy, costume-jewelry-type necklace that is actually a statement piece (but that does work if it is tasteful). It could just be a strand of pearls. Of course, a pearl necklace is very expensive. But you can get some really great quality fake pearls. After all, pearls were Margaret Thatcher’s secret weapon.

5. A great bag

The statement bag is an essential power item. Now, it would be nice if we could all afford the Louis Vuitton speedy or a Birkin bag, but that is not the most practical starter career bag. But there are plenty of beautiful bags that cost less than an arm and a leg. You want to go for something big enough that it can carry what you need for work. When I say what you need for work, I mean papers and your computer, or iPad and maybe one pair of shoes—not what you need in case a meteor hits and you have to camp out for a week.

Black leather is always a great way to go, or brown or gray. Black and brown, though, can sustain a lot more dirt. Brands like Coach, J.Crew, Banana Republic, and Kate Spade should be considered.

6. Power flats

So we just talked about how great heels were, but we think a pair of “power flats” can also make a bold statement. The “flat is making a play for power,” wrote Christina Brinkley. Flats can be considered a more modern alternative to heels. They represent the fact that women are constantly busy, constantly on the move, running from the boardroom to daycare, and they cannot afford to be slowed down by a stilleto. “We have these lives that are complex and busy,” Brooke Jaffe, fashion director of women’s accessories at Bloomingdale’s told The WSJ. “We walk all day. And there’s an expectation that you’ll look polished.”

7. A crisp white blouse

Again, a blouse can be great with a suit but it can also stand alone beautifully. It’s clean, sharp and you can pair it with almost anything.

8. One item that makes you feel powerful

As the great Cher Horowitz once said in Clueless, “Lucy! Where’s my white collarless shirt from Fred Segal!?!! It’s my most capable looking outfit!”

We are all going to have different items of clothing that make us feel powerful. For some it may be a hot pink blazer, for others it could be a navy blue suit or a cashmere cardigan. “[Women] have edged out their standing in the world. Today, they don’t have to wear a suit jacket to prove their authority,” Giorgio Armani recently said. Wear what makes you feel powerful.

Song of the Day: Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon. I mean, words to live by!

Oh don’t you dare look back
Just keep your eyes on me.
I said your holding back,
She said shut up and dance with me!
This woman is my destiny
She said oh oh oh
Shut up and dance with me

Speaking of dressing up, had fabulous birthday lunch celebrating one of my life long best friends, Lora. The restaurant helped start things off right, by sending over a glass of champagne. Best. Lunch. Ever!

Dressing like Olivia Pope. Pop, Fizz, Clink. And Bears Beat, feathered in with Deflate-gate. The Trifecta, or Quadfecta of Blogs! Small snippets wrapped into one blog. Best. Friday. Ever!

I don’t watch Scandal, or should I say, haven’t watched a full episode, however I am well aware of the character, Olivia Pope. She is a fashion icon and with good reason. Just like Kerry Washington, the actress who plays her. I love her style, so was absolutely delighted when I saw this Infographic. It touches upon her style and how you can emulate her power-dressing. So cool, yet with her own unique flair feathered into classic looks. And who said the pant suit is no longer chic? No I and certainly Not Olivia Pope! 🙂 These pictures give me style inspiration. Bringing back the tailored pant suit! Loving it!! The trench coat, becomes part of the outfit and worn all day. Again, Loving it!

Last week was fun and exhausting. Literally, I was so exhausted I didn’t even recap what a great time I had with some of my favorite people ever. Or share any pictures. My week started off on the highest of all notes, when I was given the most fabulous clutch ever to grace my arms, by LSU Leslie… one of my favorite things from one of my favorite people! My only regret is I don’t have more pictures with some of my favorite people. Lora. Rhonda. Leslie. 🙂

She said she was motivated by something she saw on my blog…Guessing it was this. 🙂

Dana, Birthday boy Chad, Moi, Tom and Jay. The dirty martini was actually too dirty for me, hence why I was drinking wine. And I am Not high maintenance as Dana makes me out to be. At all. 🙂

Song of the Day: Theme from the Greatest American Hero, by Joey Scarbury. Snappy tune and one when I hear it will literally stop dead in my tracks and break out in song. Because that’s how I roll.

Just like the light of a new day,
It hit me from out of the blue.
Breaking me out of the spell I was in,
Making all of my wishes come true ue ue.

My favorite quote of the year! And my favorite comment, when I posted this on FB, came from Tracy, “wait, what? I thought You were already Famous? I’m confused”. Love the quote and love that girl!

Bears Beat!

I have been asked many, many times about my take on the Bears coaching changes. Funny, people seem to get the impression I know what I’m talking about and truly care about our football team. Well, I do. 😉 I think we are moving in the right direction. Marc Trestman is a good coach. Was he head coach material? Maybe in the CFL, but not in the NFL. At least he didn’t show it this year. Of course, last year we were 10 seconds from making the playoffs. #stillbitter. But this year imploded and sadly, the end did justify the means. His new role as Offensive Coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens should be a good fit for him. Time will tell.

John Fox, the new head coach will do great things for the Bears. Seriously, he made it to the Super Bowl last year and the playoffs this year (and not as a Wild Card), yet he was still fired? Clearly John Elway expected more from him. In this case, I do not agree that the means justified the end. Broncos loss is the Bears gain! Plus, we have nowhere to go but up!! Adam Gase our new Offensive Coordinator was a Brilliant move. Can these coaching changes bring us to greatness with Jay? Not unless Cutler decides to become the leader of the team. While the Bears decide to put their $$$ (what little they throw around) with Cutler, he needs to snap to attention, get with the program and be the leader of the team. Hiring Fox and Gase is evidence that the Bears are sticking with Cutler and hiring coaches they think will make his successful. What does Jay need to do? Again, Jay needs to be a Leader. He has fallen short. He needs a Life Coach, but I digress. Jay needs to a leader and lead us to the Super Bowl! Yes, Mark, I will pump the brake! Sorry, but enthusiasm runs through my veins.

Deflategate

As far as Deflatgate and the Patriot’s are concerned… My opinion, and it’s only my opinion: The Patriots are one of the best teams in football and have been for years. Tom Brady is a legend. Bill Belichick is a fabulous coach yet, truth be told, a tad bit ornery (I’m being kind). But still a great coach. They are too good to have to cheat. They don’t need to cheat. As my friend Mark reminded me, innocent, till proven guilty. Regardless, the team’s reputation and that of Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have been tainted. Even if it was not intentional. The press conference they both did yesterday did not help either’s case. Sadly, Tom fared worse than Belichick. The press has not been kind. At the end of the day, or game, deflated balls did not help the Patriots win the game over the Colts. The Colts not playing well or playing as they did the entire season is why the Patriots dominated that game. It was a blowout. It was painful to watch. #TeamZack. The best team won that game. Deflated balls or not (I mean this in a purely football manner, btw). The Colts are a great team and I do predict they will have their own stint in a Super Bowl and in the not-too-distant future. Andrew Luck is a Leader. #agedoesnotmatter. Perhaps another Bears v Colts Superbowl? Hopefully with a different outcome this time. 😉 Of course, the Bears would have to make it into the playoffs first. #Optimistic #PowerofPositiveThinking #theresalwaysnextyear

Have a great weekend…new and exciting things are ahead! And, Celebrating happy news regarding our dear friend Tom. Love to you and Carolyn. ❤

I’m getting married in the morning. Ding dong the bells are gonna chime!And no, I am not getting married, but we get to attend a wedding this weekend and I cannot wait! I love a fun party! Truly, I am giddy with excitement and can’t wait to frolic with my best peeps, celebrating the wedding of Ronnie and Jon (no h). A great time will be had by all starting with a beautiful ceremony, fun dinner, lots of dancing, libations and did I mention lobster rolls being passed as a late night snack at 11PM. And a late-night snack truck! And lots of dancing…and I love, love, love to dance! I mean, OMG…So, of course this begs the question, what to wear?

Especially in these days of social media, when everything is documented, you want to be appropriately dressed for any occasion. You also may not want to wear the same thing over and over again, for fear of people thinking you have but one outfit. #Terry’slife. If you do choose to wear the same dress, you can change it up with different accessories. #options. I have always thought that was important, hence one of my first blogs The History of the Fashion Journal, in which I explain why I journal what I wear, so I’m not always wearing the same thing with the same crowd. #savvyblogger

Top 5 wedding no-no’s – what not to wear!

Here are five of the most common wedding dress guest mistakes women make when choosing a wedding outfit. Courtesy of The Perfect Palette (www.theperfectpalette.com).

MISTAKE #1: WEARING WHITE

A lot of people think that this is an old-fashioned, old-school rule. Maybe the bride is super cool and doesn’t care one bit. But wearing a white dress to a wedding can rub a lot of people the wrong way. Truthfully, the most obvious mistake female wedding guests make is wearing white. In fact, anything that looks remotely bridal is out of bounds to avoid offending the bride. It’s never a good idea to wear anything that could conceivably be mistaken for a wedding dress.

Some say it is okay, however, according to Martha Stewart Weddings, “If you do show up in white, you’re not technically doing anything wrong, but people might talk and you’ll be known as “the girl who wore white at so-and-so’s wedding.” It’s just not worth it. Let the big day be about the guest of honor — the bride — and save your white dress for a special occasion that doesn’t involve vows.” So with that being said, I think you shouldn’t wear all white. Because believe me, even if you look your best in white, you won’t care what color you’re wearing when she’s staring daggers into your eyes instead of saying “I do.” Exceptions to the rule are white dresses with bold colored patterns.

MISTAKE #2: WEARING RED

The truth is that there’s really nothing wrong with wearing a red dress to a wedding. The real underlying issue with red is that it draws the eye, BIG time. And if there is only one bright red dress among a sea of pastel shades, it will stand out like a sore thumb on the group photos. To avoid stealing the show, I’d suggest avoiding red all together. Especially if the dress color could be described as “fire engine red.” Bright red is just too loud and distracting. Deep cranberry is a good alternative.

This dress would be fabulous and give you that pop of color! I’m not sure I agree with not wearing red, btw. Neither does the picture below, from The Dress Code.

MISTAKE #3: IGNORING THE INVITATION DRESS CODE

A common wedding dress guest mistake is failing to check the invitation dress code to see which style of outfit is appropriate. For a black tie dress code an evening gown or cocktail dress is expected, for a white tie dress code nothing but a ball gown will suffice, and for a lounge suit dress code a daytime summer dress, a skirt and top or a light suit is required. If there is no dress code on the invitation, a colorful summer dress is usually a safe bet. Dress codes should be paid attention to. Believe me, you don’t want to feel out of place. Nothing could feel more awkward.

I love this dress! I also live by the rule it’s better to be overdressed, than under-dressed.

MISTAKE #4: DRESSING LIKE THE BRIDESMAIDS

Wedding guest outfits shouldn’t look too much like the bridesmaids’ dresses. Some guests make the effort to find out the wedding color scheme and choose a coordinating dress, which is a great idea. Wearing an identical dress to the bridesmaids, however, can give the impression of being offended at not being asked to be one. Of course coincidences happen and sometimes guests will unknowingly turn up in the same color as the bridesmaids, which can’t be helped.

You can never go wrong with your LBD.

MISTAKE #5: WEARING INAPPROPRIATE ATTIRE

A wedding is a classy occasion. Don’t cheapen it by wearing what you wore to the bachelorette party or the club the night before. Even though the reception will likely feature dancing and single cuties, it’s not the time or the place for tiny clothes that hug every curve. Skimpy clothes fall into the bachelorette party dress code. Believe me, no one needs to see your upper thigh or your cleavage hanging out. Seriously. It’s just not a good look.

One rule, that isn’t mentioned here, “It’s better to be overdressed than under-dressed”. That rule applies to most occasions and it’s a rule that I happen to abide by.

And more “decoding”

So there you have it! The top 5 wedding No-No’s when it comes to wedding attire for guests! I know there are a few exceptions to this rule. For instance, different cultures have different traditions when it comes to white and red. But generally speaking, these rules will keep you safe when you are on trying to decide what to wear (and not to wear) to your next wedding!

And so the #1 most requested wedding song of 2014, will be today’s Song of the Day:

Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey

Some will win
Some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

So, my best memory from the song, Don’t Stop Believing… It was 2010, and Kev, Patrick and I were at the Giants game, where we thought they were going to clinch to go to the world series. So, 7th inning stretch and instead of “Take me out to the Ballgame” as we do at a Cubs game, they started playing, “Don’t Stop Believing”. The Entire crowd started to sing, and they flashed to a picture of a man from a skybox, signing out to the crowd. Kevin asked who it was, and I said, “Steve Perry from Journey”. He was like, “no way”. Way! It was Steven Perry, and we sang that song, at the top of our lungs, with the 40,000+ other fans, for 3 minutes. The Giants lost that game, but it was one of my all time favorite memories!

Pre-gaming…when I sent this pic to Joe, he said, “slumming with Franciscan”? Yeah, maybe. 🙂

This pic was from 2010, not last weekend. AT&T Ballpark in San Francisco, is my all-time favorite ballpark…yes, I love it more than Wrigley Field. They serve Stella and Napa Valley wines. What’s not to love? ❤

Looking forward to Ronnie and Jon’s nuptials. Pictures to follow no doubt. #RonJon2014. And, a Very Happy Birthday Jay! Sorry to miss the soiree this weekend…but we’re gonna be busy dancing at the wedding of the year and eating lobster rolls! So glad we could spend time with you last week. 🙂

Way to Go San Francisco Giants! At least one of my baseball teams, sees some post-season play, and goes on to win the World Series. #OctoberTogether. On a little side note, I love #ChevyGuy #TechnologyandStuff. I also love that GM has gotten behind the Rikk Wilde, who had an unfortunate, awkward, and super nervous appearance presenting the MVP award to Madison Baumgarner. Who hasn’t flubbed up when speaking, let alone speaking in front of a crowd? Most of us, probably aren’t doing it in front of millions, either, which as he showed, was obviously terrifying. So Hats off to GM, for having Rikk Wilde’s back, by tweeting, “He was on message. The truck has technology and stuff. We will use that term and stuff.” For the full story, Technology and Stuff.

Happy Halloween…Murphy is dressing up as a “LineBarker”. Brian Urlacher should watch his bark. 🙂

It’s after Labor Day…and I do hope you haven’t put away your whites. I know my southern bell friend, Kathy P has just gasped. But yes, you can wear white after Labor Day! You can wear if before Labor Day, as well, btw.

But first, let’s see where this rule came from…compliments from our friends at the daily holiday blog (www.dailyholidayblog.com).

Originally, it seemed to start in the late 1800′s when the snobby upper crust needed another way to set themselves apart from the normal hardworking lower and middle classes. The women who were currently the popular crowd made up a bunch of fashion rules that anyone who was anyone needed to follow.

A silly rule for the Upper Crust

Not wearing white outside the summer months was another one of these silly rules. White was for weddings and resort wear, not dinner parties in the fall. Labor Day became a federal holiday in 1894, those in the fashion industries eventually adopted it as the natural endpoint for summer fashion.

By the 1950′s, women’s magazines pushed this rule to the extreme to not only the snobby upper crust, but the average American housewife. It wasn’t long before it became the accepted rule and whether or not you knew where the rule came from, it was the new fashion “law”!

Breaking Away from the Crowd

Of course there are some that buck the system. Most famously was Coco Chanel who insisted on wearing white year round! Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand. She is credited with liberating women from the corset and popularizing sporty chic clothing after World War I. And she particularly disliked this no white after Labor Day “rule”.

Here are some of my favorite looks for breaking that old rule!

Song of the Day…from Steph, who just gave me an Awesome playlist, called, “Finger snapping tunes”…and finger snap you shall. And yes, Steph is one of my besties…and yes, I do have several, make that many. I am lucky. ❤ ❤ ❤

Dress for the Job you Want…not the Job you Have! I’ve always been taught that and have always followed that rule. Of course, I should be dressing as a sideline reporter for the NFL…but I digress and that’s another blog. I found an article on Dressing for Success that I wanted to share, especially since many recent college graduates are entering the work place. These are just some basics (almost elementary, if you will) but are good to know.

Dressing for success, does not always mean wearing a business suit. Different occupations call for different dress codes. How you should dress in your office is largely dependent on your company’s dress code and the cultural norms of your office. Companies usually issue employee handbooks with formalized dress codes, and that is also a good starting point to understand what is appropriate to wear in your office. Of course, if you are the luckiest girl in the world, like me, and not only work out of my home, but work for a company which has No dress code, so I have no rules, but do try to angle towards dressing for success. Well that, and I get to treat each day like it’s a fashion show. #Ihavetoomanyclothes.

If you are still unsure regarding what is appropriate to wear in your workplace, a good tip is to observe the attire of your supervisors and women who are similar in rank to you in your office for a week or two whenever you start a new job. It is important to pay attention to what they wear on days where there might be an important meeting (when you will typically see the most formal of attire) and ordinary days. Seeing what others wear is the best barometer in determining the appropriate level of formality in your office. (Genevieve Ang).

DRESS FOR SUCCESS…by Lauren Conrad (my comments in bold)

Dressing the part for work is a topic I am quite familiar with. I’ve covered the basics for all kinds of work attire (from casual to business casual to professional), shared interview outfits, and even created a list of office style commandments that I believe every working girl should know. But as I started digging a little deeper into the rules for dressing for success, I found a few fun facts that might surprise even the most knowledgeable style experts. What I discovered was that it all comes down to the details. Hard work and a friendly attitude might get you that big promotion, but a few key presentation factors—from your fingernails to the soles of your shoes—will help pave that road to success. Without further ado, here are 10 style tricks that make a good impression in the workplace…

1. Hem your pants. You should never be able to wear the same pair of dress pants with both flats and heels. Pants that are not tailored correctly can look silly if they are too short or sloppy if they drag on the ground. When wearing heels, the hem of your pants should fall about ½ inch from the ground in the back, according to The Daily Muse. When wearing flats, your pants should cover most of the shoe in the back without actually touching the ground. If your office attire is casual, make sure your jeans are hemmed correctly as well. Skinny jeans should hit at the bottom of the ankle and cigarette pants should hit at the top of your ankle. Pants that hang on the floor, really looks unprofessional. This goes for both men and women. I recently saw a picture of a friend of mine, who wore a beautiful shirt and tie and a very sharp suit…except the pants weren’t hemmed properly, they were bunched around his shoes, so it ruined the entire look. Hem your pants.

2. Check your sleeve length. Make a note to bring your jackets and blazers with you when you have your pants tailored as well because your sleeve length speaks volumes about your presentation. Sleeves that are too long or too short have the same negative effect as improperly fitting pants. To avoid looking frumpy, make sure the cuff of your sleeve hits just below your wrist when holding your arms at your sides. Not sure I’ve ever thought my sleeves were an improper length. #whoknew

3. Buy button-up shirts that fit. Nothing looks more unprofessional that a button-up shirt that gapes and shows your undergarments. If you have a bigger chest size, buy a button-up shirt that is big enough to stretch all the way across your bust without gaping. If your shirt fits perfectly but it’s still gaping, try using double-stick tape or fashion tape to smooth the seams together. It’s important to not only have button-up shirts that fit, but the rest of your clothing as well. Find a good tailor.

4. Invest in a good pair of shoes. Your shoes may not be the first thing your coworkers notice, but if you’re crossing your legs in a meeting or making a presentation, I guarantee that scuffed soles will stand out…and not in a good way. Invest in two or three classic pairs of heels that are comfortable enough to give an entire standing presentation in. Do the same with flats, and make sure you have bandages handy for blisters. When a pair starts to look run down and tattered, don’t wait too long to replace them or treat them to a trip to the cobbler. This will be my next purchase…a classic pair of Christian Louboutins.

5. Belt it. If you’re wearing a pair of pants with belt loops and a tucked-in shirt, it looks sloppy to go belt-less. According to AOL Jobs, empty belt loops look forgetful and careless. And the reverse is true as well: If you decide to wear a belt with a skirt or dress that comes sans belt loops, make sure the belt won’t awkwardly shift around throughout the day. This is a good tip, for every day…if your pants, skirt or dress have belt loops, belt them.

6. Don’t pile on accessories. This tip may be a bit obvious, but it can help you shift your image from frivolous fashionista to polished professional. If your office attire tends to be more buttoned up (banking, real estate, etc.), keep the jewelry and accessories at a minimum. Your earrings, necklace, and rings should be simple. Forgo jangly bracelets for a smart watch. If you work in a creative environment, you have more freedom in the jewelry department—but that doesn’t mean you should go crazy. The focus should be on one main accessory like a statement necklace or a colorful handbag. Keep the rest simple. You may refer to my previous blog, the 3 bling rule. https://dressedtoat.wordpress.com/2011/07/01/the-3-bling-rule

7. Maintain your manicure. When you’re shaking hands with business partners, gesturing during a presentation, or signing important documents, I can guarantee that your nails will get noticed. Make sure they affect your overall appearance positively by keeping them manicured. Now that doesn’t mean you have to go to the nail salon and get them polished weekly—you can keep them natural as long as they look clean and free of torn cuticles. If you’re a nail biter, here’s some incentive to go cold turkey: Not only do bitten nails look unprofessional, the habit also makes you come off as nervous and stressed. In other words, chipped polish, dirty nails and bad habits don’t exactly scream “promotion,” ladies. I really need to do this. I truly have the most unattractive hands, ever.

8. Dry your hair. We’ve all been there before: You’re running extremely late and there’s no time to blow dry your hair before rushing out the door. While the decision to be late or do your ‘do comes down to you, consider this fact first… Having wet hair in the workplace leaves you with a messy impression. If you can’t find the time to at least dry your hair in the morning, you may want to consider giving yourself some extra time to get ready. Your boss will take you much more seriously if it looks like you take the time to present a polished version of yourself each day.I cannot ever imagine leaving the house, let alone going to work, with Wet Hair. What in the world?

9. Don’t overdo the perfume. Before you walk out the door, refrain from dousing yourself in your favorite eau de cologne. I’m definitely a proponent of smelling fresh and clean, but one spritz should do the job, not three. My friend Steph turned me onto this cologne, by Jennifer Aniston. It’s light, clean and fresh. Love it.

10. Brighten up your eyes. While it’s obvious that a pretty, white smile makes a great first impression, you may be surprised to learn that white eyes have the same effect as well. People are actually attracted to eye whites that are truly white. According to Science Daily, a new study revealed that bloodshot eyes are associated with sadder, unhealthier, and less attractive individuals than people whose eye whites are white. If you’re interviewing for a new job or giving a presentation, squirt a few drops of Visine into your eyes. It will add moisture and constrict blood vessels, reducing the appearance of bloodshot peepers. And for all you ladies who enjoy a post-work happy hour in the middle of the week, this trick will help you look rested and rejuvenated when you’re anything but. Again, never a good idea to go anywhere with bloodshot eyes. It’s another good rule for every day.

More from Lauren Conrad – my comments, again, in bold.

While there are no rules in fashion, there are rules for fashion in the workplace. A few basic guidelines for business formal dressing include the following:

1. Wear colors based on a neutral color palette (black, navy, cream, charcoal or grey). Unfortunately lime green and bright pink won’t cut it in the boardroom. Pink is the new black. But I do angle towards black, grey and charcoal myself.
2. Avoid gaudy accessories. Think simple, sleek and chic. Again, my 3-bling rule.
3. All suits and skirts should be tailored to fit close to the body (but not tight). Skirts should hit at the knee or below. And blouses should be conservative, freshly pressed and always tucked in. Brilliant.
4. Wear scuff-free heels or flats in a neutral color. If you go for the heels, don’t wear anything higher than 3 or 4 inches. These would not be okay. Because I’m 5’8″, I typically don’t wear heels higher than 4″…however I have seen women, wearing a classic pair of pumps with 4-41/2″ heels, in the workplace, and I thought they looked great. Especially if they can walk properly in them.
5. Hair and makeup should be groomed, neat, and simple. I think the ballerina bun is the perfect hairstyle for any female powerhouse. It’s feminine, yet strikingly authoritative. Sloppy buns are not okay in the workplace, except my home, which is my workplace…because I always wear a sloppy bun. #idowhatiwant

Looks I Love…I would wear, happily, any one of these ensembles.

I’ve ended with this picture of the dress shorts and heels. In 1990, the year I was a bride, I was working in a hotel, and wore a pink linen Liz Claiborne suit, which had shorts not a skirt or pants. I paired it with heels and a silk blouse. Pretty edgy for that time, but it still looked professional…Thankfully it did not become an HR issue and I do believe other’s followed suit. Pun intended. 🙂

The key to dressing professionally goes beyond a business suit or heels and a skirt. Investing in quality tailored apparel and practicing good grooming serves any person well. To express your own unique style in a conservative and elegant manner shows you not only Look the part of a Professional…but you can walk the walk as well.

Song of the Day: Play It Again, by Luke Bryan…the perfect summer song!

This blog is dedicated to Meredith, who in 10 short days, begins day 1 of working for 50+ years…Yes, I do believe she freaked when I indicated that to her. #livingthedream

30-Day Abs Challenge is going Fab…and I’m delighted so many have joined me in this challenge. For the record, I still hate planks, and no doubt will hate them even more at the end of the challenge, but I’m in and I’m committed!

Have a great weekend…Next week’s blogs: Lord of the Rings; If Only; and Father’s Day! A trifecta of blogs, all written and ready to be published!

I always wear black…I will fall just short of saying it’s my signature color, as that can be construed as being a bit morbid. And, as I’ve mentioned in the past, I don’t wear it to try to look “thinner”, as it would need a Whole lot of Black for that, however, I’m quite clumsy, and tend to fall and spill on myself, so black doesn’t quite show the stains that yellow or white would. This illustration indicates what “Your Clothing Color Says About You”. In regards to what my “almost signature color” says about me, I’m pretty approachable, not powerful nor authoritative, but try to angle towards being stylish. 🙂

When searching for the perfect color to wear to an interview or important business meeting, consider What your Clothing Color Says about You!

I could have gone to Great Lengths to find business-appropriate clothing in these colors to show the point of this post…and truth be told, I did, so clearly not all of these outfits are appropriate for interviews, but I like all these outfits, and as we know, I like to post pictures of outfits I like! Plus…I believe that this color code works in all facets of life, not just in business settings.

When trying to find cute outfits in the above colors, Black , White and Red were the easiest to find. It was hard to find good options in Purple and Green! No wonder most of us wear black, white and sometimes red…and as we know there isn’t a woman’s clothing store called Purple House Green Market! Black and White are the easiest colors to find!! 🙂

Whatever color you choose, Love what you wear, wear it with Pride and I’m sure you’ll look just Fabulous!

Terry O’Brien

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Style is very personal.
It has nothing to do with fashion.
Fashion is over quickly.
Style is forever.
...Ralph Lauren